Device for displaying photographic transparencies



Dec. 19, 1950 J. SILVER 2,534,561

DEVICE FOR mspmuuc PHOTOGRAPHIC mmsrmucms Filed June 15, 1946 sSheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

' JOHN S/Ll/ER ATTORNEYS Dec. 19, 1950 J, s V 2,534,561

DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING PHOTOGRAPHIC TRANSPARENCIES Filed June 15, 1946 3Sheets-Sheet 2 JOHN S/L I/ER A TTORNEKS -BYWM4' W J. SILVER DEVICE FORozsrwzme. PHOTOGRAPHIC 'mnsmasncms Filed June 15, 194.6

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. JOHN S/LVER ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 19, 1950DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING PHOTOGRAPHIC TRAN SPARENCIES John Silver,Hollywood, Calif.

Application June 15, 1946, Serial No. 676,896

1 Claim. (01. 88-28) This invention relates generally to photographexhibitors, and more specifically contemplates apparatus adapted for useas a'projector or hand viewer of photographic transparencies.

Color transparencies are generally printed upon film and are quitesmall, requiring close examination or magnification to be fullyappreciated. In accordance with commercial development of suchtransparencies, the latter are usually mounted in cardboard frames tofacilitate handling. It is common practice for the user to store suchtransparencies in boxes from which they may be removed and viewed, oneat a time, by holding them in front of a light. This, however, is alaborious process which, due to delays in sorting and selecting picturesfor successive exhibition, detracts considerably from the fullappreciation and enjoyment of the subject-matter.

It is often desirable and more effective to show such pictures in thesequence in which they were photographed or in some other predeterminedorder so as to preserve a pictorial continuity that corresponds with averbal or a Written description as of different places visited on a touror trip, a series of successive experiences or the steps in a process ofinstruction, or the like. However, where the pictures are shownindividually to a series of persons it is usually impossible to maintainany particular viewing sequence. Moreover, loose pictures, individuallymounted for separate handling require constant sorting and manipulation,making the problem of storage and indexing in a manner which permits thelocation and identity of any thereof almost insurmountable where a largenumber of pictures is involved.

While the projection of transparencies in accordance with conventionalpractice obviates the individual handling of each picture byeach of agroup of persons to whom they are shown, most projectors of the priorart are adapted to receive but a single transparency at a time whichnecesv sitates careful prearrangement of the pictures to be projectedbefore the showing begins in order to avoid a break in the continuitywhile a search is conducted for specific pictures.

It is accordingly a principal object of the present invention to providemechanism to mount for relative movement in parallel planes a lenssystem and a frame for a plurality of pictures, e. g., transparentprints, whereby the optical axis of the lens system may be selectivelyaligned with any of the pictures for either projection upon a screen orhand viewing.

Another and highly important object hereof is to provide a projectoradapted to accommodate at one time a plurality of colored transparentpictures mounted in a single composite frame and arranged in rows,.oneabove the other, for selective horizontal alignment with the opticalaxis of the lens system, the frame being also movable laterally to shifteach picture of the aligned row into a beam of light directed throughthe lens.

Still another object is to provide a projector assembly of the characterlast referred to, incorporating an elevator mechanism for the selectivesupport and vertical adjustment of either of two types of multi-picturepanel-frames, differing from one another in the proximity of thehorizontal rows of transparencies carried thereby, including latchingmeans for the elevator mecha-. nism, preadjustable to either type offrame, for locking the elevator successively in a series of positionscorresponding to the number of rows of pictures comprising the framesupported thereby so as to successively position each row of pictures inoptical alignment with the lens system for projection.

Still another object is to provide a projector assembly embodying guidesfor lateral movement of a panel of pictures arranged in horizontal rows,which permits the successive operative association of a plurality ofpanels for alignment of the rows of pictures with the optical systemwithout interruptipn in the continuity of viewing, one panel beingremoved from the projector simultaneously with the insertion of anotherpanel therein.

Other objects and salient features of my invention include simplicity ofconstruction, comparative economy of manufacture, convenience of use,and adaptability in affordin accommodation to, conventional colortransparencies.

In the following description specific reference is made to theaccompanying drawings of two preferred embodiments of my invention, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a proj ctor embodying features of myinvention;

Fig. 2 is a vertcal sectional view through the projector looking forwardfrom a vertical plane intermediate the light source and the compositepicture frame;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 5, andillustrating one adjustment of the latching mechanism for the frameelevator, dotted lines illustrating the two other positions of thelatter with the adjustmen depicted;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3, showing a differentadjustment of the latching mecha nism and, in dotted lines, threeadditional positions for the elevator;

Fig. is a horizontal section taken on line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one form of composite picture frame,illustrating particularly the guides for its vertical and lateralmovement in a projector, the base of the latter being shown in section;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view corresponding to that of Fig. 6, butillustrating a different embodiment of composite picture frame whichincorporates four rows of pictures;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section through a composite picture panel-frame ofthe type shown in Fig. 6, partially broken away, and illustratingparticularly the included row frames for the individual slidableretention of separately mounted pictures;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged section through a picture panel-frame of the. typeshown in Fig. '7, and depicting the means which the film transparenciesare releasably secured therein;

Referring to the drawings more in detail, the numerals of which indicatesimilar parts throughout the several views, it designates a base on oneend of which a light box it is mounted. Housed within the upper portionof light box it is an incandescent lamp or other suitable light source(not shown) disposed in alignment with a lens assembly I? for directinga beam of light forward. and parallel to base 15. The light box It mayalso include an electric fan, and the walls may be formed with vents,the construction and the utility of which apparatus, being well known inthe art, is not specifically illustrated.

Mounted to the forward end of base l5 in an upright position is a panel28 of substantially the same width as the base. A horizontal guidesupport It is secured by suitable means to the top of panel l8 so as toproject rearwardly and overhang the back of the latter. Guide support Itis somewhat longer than the width of panel l8 and formed with arcuateends which reinforce vertical side plates 23, correspondingly formed incrosssection, which are secured by screws or the like tooppositeverti-cal edges of panel IS. The arcuate contour of the lowerends of respective side plates 23 is reinforced by a bottom plate 2! socured to base shape and size to the guide support l9 thereabove. Securedto the upper outer surface of the panel .18 in axial alignment with lensii is a lens assembly 22 of conventional type adapted for focusingadjustment so as to project an image carried by the beam of lightemanating from the light box IE onto a suitable screen (not shown).

A channel 23 is formed in the undersurface of the guide support isadjacent its rearward edge and parallel to the panel 13 for the slidableretention of a bracket 24 secured across the top of a rectangular frame25. The bottom of frame 25 is slidably supported in a guide 26, parallelwith the channel 23 and transverse to base IE to which it is secured.Frame 25 comprises a bottom bar 21 and a pair of channeled uprights 23secured to opposite ends of bar 2'1, respectively. The channels 29 inuprights 28 are opposed to one another and open at their upper ends soas to receive and retain against lateral movement a panel-frame 30,hereinafter more in detail described. 3"! indicates a reinforcing stripsecured. across the back of the uprights 28 adjacent the upper end offrame 25 to supplement bracket it in maintaining the: rigidity of theframe in operation.

5 and conforming generally in The ends of an elevator bar 32 areslidably accommodated in the respective channels 29 of the uprights 28whereby bar 32 may be raised and lowered to correspondingly move thepicture panel-frame 36 supported thereon. The frame is adapted toreceive and retain against relative lateral motion either of two typesof horizontal row frames, hereinafter described, in which pictures aremounted, and comprises a pair of upright members 33, each U-shaped incross-section, a lower bar 34 having its ends secured within the lowerends of opposed channels 35, respectively, and a cross bar 36 joiningthe upper ends of the uprights. The ends of cross bar are secured bywelding or the like to outer surfaces of the respective uprights 33 soas not to restrict the open, upper ends of the channels 35 into whichthe row frames 31 are to be inserted.

As hereinabove indicated, a projector embodying my invention is adaptedto accommodate color transparencies. In accordance with conventionaldevelopment of pictures of this type, the prints are securedindividually in square mountings 38 of cardboard. In order to providefor successive projection of a series of pictures so mounted, theprojector includes three elongated row frames 31, above referred to andillustrated particularly in Figs. 6 and 8, each comprising, in theembodiment here contemplated, a single piece of metal having threesquare cut-outs 39 slightly smaller than the size of the cardboardmounting 38 in which transparencies are secured. The flat ends of frame3'! are adapted for reception inv the channels 35 of frame 30,respectively, the latter frame being large enough to receive three rowframes 3?, one above the other. The upper and lower longitudinal edgesof each row frame 31 are turned over to form oppositely disposedcleannels 40 for th slidable reception and retention of the squarecardboard mountings 38 so as to permit three mounted transparencies tobe slid through channels 43 of each frame 3'! into registry with thesquare openings 39 in the latter. Thus a total of nine transparenciesassembled in three row frames 31 may be placed in a single panel-frame30. The panel of pictures is then slid into the frame 25 through theupper open end of channels 23 where the assembled pictures are supportedin the frame 25 by the elevator bar 32. The three transparencies of eachrow frame 31 are held against displacement longitudinally of the latterby the abutment of the cardboard mountings 38 of the end pictures withthe uprights 33 of the frame 38 into which row frames 31 are slidablyreceived, as above described It will thus be observed that by laterallyshifting frame 25 across base i5, any vertical row of pictures in thepanel-frame 30 may be aligned with the optical system I'l-22 and that byvertical adjustment of the elevator bar 32 any one of the threehorizontal rows of the pictures may be aligned with the optical system.Accordingly, joint or successive operations of frame 25 and bar 32carried thereby is effective to shift any one of the pictures carried bypanel-frame 30 into the beam of light for projection of its image upon ascreen by the lens assembly 22.

In Figs. '7 and 9 I have illustrated a panelframe 33 carrying row frames4| of modifiedform which permits the accommodation of sixteenpictures ina panel-frame of the same sire as hereinabove described for holding thethree row frames 31 of the cardboard mounted pictures. In accordancewith this construction, each row frame 41 comprises a sheet of springmetal: bent upon itself to form complementary clamping members 42 havingregistering cut-outs 43 therein, between which members 42 the individualtransparencies, stripped of their cardboard.

mountings 38, are interposed. In order to facilitate insertion of thetransparencies individually into registry with the respective openings43 in frame 4|, one clamping member 42 is cut transversely on each ofthree parallel lines between adjoining pairs of 'the four cut-outs 43,as indie cated at 44, whereby each section of the clamping member 42 maybe individually spread from its counterpart to permit the insertion ofthe transparencies into registry with the openings 43 therein. It willbe observed that individual pictures in any row may be removed andothers inserted without disturbing any of the other pictures in theframe.

It is common practice to print transparencies of the type contemplatedupon strip film having sprocket holes in its opposite side edges. Inorder to supplement the resilience of frame 4| in holding thetransparencies in adjusted position, I provide a series of small bosses45 on the inner surface of one member 42 adjacent th open edge of frame4|, which bosses 45 are spaced apart a suf-- ficient distance toregister with the sprocket openings of the film and a series ofcomplementary holes 46 in the opposed clamping member 42. The receptionof bosses 45 in the holes 45 thus assures contiguous and frictionalcontact of both sides of the frame with opposite edges of thetransparencies so as to hold the latter fiat and taut.

An additional or alternative locking expedient for each transparency isillustrated in Fig. 9, and comprises a staple 41 adapted to be projected through holes in the opposite sides of the frame which registerwith other sprocket holes in the film transparency. In the interest ofcompactness it is desirable that the surfaces of the clamping members 42across which each staple 4'! extends be recessed, as at 43, in orderthat the outer surface of the staple will be substantially flush withthe corresponding outer surfaces of frame 4|.

The elevator bar 32 is raised and lowered so as to correspondingly movepanel-frame 35, housing the rows of pictures, by mechanism about to bedescribed, projecting through the panel l8. To this end, elevator bar 32is provided with an integral, laterally extending slide 49 received in aslot 55 formed in the rearward edge of a verticallyueciprocable plate 5,horizontallydisposed between the back of panel I 8 and the plane offrame 25. A narrow forwardly extending neck 52, integral with plate 5|,projects through a vertical, central slot 53 in panel I8, and connectswith an integral actuating'member 54 at the front of panel l8 by whichplate 5| and elevator bar 32, slidably associated with the latterthrough extension 49, may be raised and lowered.

The tendency of plate 5| to tilt in response to upward pressure on theactuating element 54 thereof and thus bind the slide 49 or put anexcessive strain upon the frame 25 and supporting mechanism therefor isobviated by means of a guide assembly carried at the back of panel Hi.This mechanism' comprises a heavy U-shaped bracket 55 having its basesecured by suitable means to the top of plate 5| closely adjacent therear surface of panel l8 so as to be raised and lowered with the plateand elevator bar 32 in response to manipulation of the actuating mem ber54. The sides of the U-shaped bracket 55 are reciprocable in channeledtracks 56 rigidly secured to the back of panel l8. Being U-shaped,bracket 55 is movable upwardly to the top of panel l 3, encompassing thebeam of light directed from the light source through the lens systems|'|22 without restricting the latter, while assuring maintenance of theframe 25 in a common vertical plane.

In accordance with the most convenient method of utilizing theprojector, the elevator mechanism is first raised to align the lowermostrow of pictures carried by an inserted panel-frame 3D with the opticalsystem |'|22, whereupon the frame 25 is shifted laterally tosuccessively position each of the three or four pictures com prising thelower row thereof (the number of pietures depending upon the type of rowframe employed) in the light path for successive projection of imagesthereof onto the screen. Thereupon the elevator mechanism, through themanipulation of the actuating member 55, is lowered to align the row ofpictures second from the bottom with the optical system. The operationis thereupon continued in a like manner, utilizing gravity to lower theframe, when required, until all pictures have been projected.

Locking mechanism is provided to secure the elevator bar 32 againstupward and downward movement at the different positions necessary forsupporting the respective rows of pictures carried by the frame 35 inhorizontal alignment with the optical axis of the lens system. It willbe observed, however, that the vertical disposition of the frame 35,required to align the respective rows of pictures of the embodiment ofFigs. '7 and 9, will be different from those positions to which theframe 3|] must be shifted in order to successively align the rows ofpictures of the embodiment of Figs. 6 and 8 with the optical system, inView of the fact that there are four rows of pictures in the formerembodiment more closely arranged than the three rows of pictures of theembodiment of Figs. 6 and 8. Accordingly, the latching mechanismprovides for supporting the frame 35 in six differentvertically-adjusted positions. Secured to the actuating member 54 of theplate 5| is a bar 51 arranged parallel to but spaced from the frontsurface of panel Hi. In each end of bar 5i a hole is provided for theslidable extension of a short pin 58, the inner ends of which pins aremounted in a latch bar 59. A helical spring 55, encircling each of thepins 58, is interposed between bar 5? and the latch bar 59 so as tonormally hold the latter in contact with panel l8. The latch bar 59 isadapted to be withdrawn from engagement with the face of panel i3 bymeans of a rod 6! having one end mounted in bar 59 and extendingslidably through bar 5'5. A button 52 on the outer end of rod 5|facilitates the application of tension to the latter, which is effectiveto withdraw the latch bar 53 and compress the springs 5!]. The frontsurface of panel it is provided with five transverse slots 53 and 54,hereinafter more specifically identified, having cross-sectionaldimensions slightly greater than the sectional contour of latch bar 59which is adapted to be received in the respective slots. The slots 63and 54 are vertically spaced to receive and engage the latch bar 59 ateach of the respective positions of the elevator 32 required to alignthe various rows of pictures carried by the frames 31 and 4| of theembodiments of Figs. 6 and '7, respectively, with the optical system|'|22. An important feature of the invention resides in the constructionof the respective row frames 3'! and 4! of the embodiments of Figs. 6and 7 whereby their installation in the panelframe 36' and frame 25assures the. alignment of the uppermost rowof pictures of eitherembodiment with the optical axis, when the elevator 32 is in itslowermost position.

It will be observed from an examination and comparison of Figs. 3 and 4that the first (from the bottom) third and fifth slots 63 are positoinedto lock the elevator mechanism in positions whereby the panel-frame 36of the embodiment of Fig. 7 is supported with the second, third andfourth picture rows in alignment with the optical system, ll-22 whereasthe second and fourth slots 64 are provided for positioning a compositepicture assembly such as that shown in Fig. 6' with the second and thirdrows aligned with the optical system. Accordingly, with a frame ofpictures such as that shown in Fig. 6 in the laterally-slidable frame 25for projection onto the screen, each of the three rows of pictures maybe successively moved into the beam of light by placing the elevatorassembly in its lowermost position and thereafter moving the elevator toengage the latch. bar 59 in the second and fourth slots 64,successively. To facilitate this operation, panel [8 is formed with apair of vertical recesses 65 extending its length and arranged inparallel relation at opposite sides, respectively, of the lens assembly22. A key strip 66 is slidably disposed within each recess 65, beingretained against displacement by the overhang of the arcuate side plates20. The upper ends of strips 66 are connected by a, bar 61 by which theformer may be manually raised and lowered in unison for a purpose aboutto be described. The strips 66 overhang the ends of slots 63 and 64 andupon proper adjustment of bar 61, mask oif the ends of the first, thirdand fifth slots 63, i. e., to prevent engagement of the latch bar 59therein. The strips 66 are formed, with cutouts 68 adapted to registerwith the second and fourth slots 64. when in a predetermined elevatedposition, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Accordingly, the uppermost row ofpictures. of the embodiment of Fig. 6 may be displaced from the beam oflight and the second row of pictures aligned therewith by the elevationof the bar 51. During this operation latch bar 59 passes over thelowermost slot 63, its ends riding upon the strips 66, and the latch bardrops into the second slot 64 with which the lower of the two pair ofcutouts 68 in strips 66 are in registry.

The lowermost row of pictures in the frame of Fig. 6 may then be broughtinto operative relationship with the beam of light by withdrawing latchbar 59 from lower slot 64 and again elevating plate 5| and elevator 32until latch bar 59 is aligned with the next pair of cutouts 68, thelatter being in registry with the fourth slot 64 of the series.

In order to assure registry of cutouts 68 with the respective second andfourth slots 64 in panel I3, the lower end of each strip 66 is cut awayto provide slots 69 into which studs 19, carried by panel [8, project.The arrangement of. slots 69 and studs 16 is such as to assure thedesired registry of the cutouts 68 with the respective second and fourthslots 64 in the panel, as above described, when studs 16 are engagedwith the lower ends of the slots 69.

In a like manner depression of the stripassembly to the limit permittedby studs 10 is effective to misalign the cutouts 68. with the second andfourth slots 64 in panel 18, and coincidentally align another set ofthree pairs of cutouts H with the first, third and fifth slots 63,respectively, so as to adapt the latching assembly for the locking ofthe elevator mechanism in the successive positions required to align thesecond, third and fourth rows of pictures of the frame embodiment shownin Fig. 7 with the beam of light directed to lens system 22.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a device of the character described, a frame for a plurality ofpictures arranged in rows, an optical system, means to shift said framerelative to said optical system to align different rows of said pictureswith said optical system, means to latch said frame in each of severalpositions supporting respective picture rows of fixed proximity to oneanother in alignment with the optical axis, means to render saidlast-named means ineffective, and means to latch said frame in each of aseries of positionsv aligning respective picture rows differing inproximity to one another with respect to the picture rows first named,with said optical system.

JOHN SILVER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 712,034 Berger Oct. 28, 19021,158,019 Anderson Oct. 26, 1915 1,368,880 Bettini Feb. 15,19211,728,589 Barron Sept. 17, 1929 1,736,071 Cressler Nov. 19, 19291,747,400 Stewart et a1 Feb. 18, 1930 1,845,410 Harding Feb. 16, 19321,949,067 Wheelock et al Feb. 27, 1934 1,991,578 Rixen Feb. 19, 19352,162,025 McClaughry June 13, 1939 2,256,178 Stuart Sept. 16, 19412,258,986 Hutchison Oct. 14, 1941 2,271,530 Wick Feb. 3, 1942 2,276,735Miller Mar. 1'7 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 16,046 GreatBritain of 1883 15,398 Great Britain of 1906 675,940 France Nov. 18,1929

